by Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports

by Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports

LOUDON, N.H. - Brian Vickers has spent all of the past two Sprint Cup seasons trying to scratch and claw his way back into a full-time ride in NASCAR's premier series.

If his surprising victory in the Camping World RV Sales 301 helps him secure that job, he truly will have earned it because hardly any breaks were being cut Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

At the slick 1.058-mile oval where passing always is at a premium, Vickers used sublime strategy (overcoming a pit penalty that left him a lap down in 27th on lap 90 of 302) and impeccable patience to pick his way through nightmarish traffic and wrecks involving 15 of 43 cars.

Overcoming adversity has become commonplace for Vickers. He missed the final 25 races of the 2010 season while recovering from blood clots and heart surgery to repair a hole between his atria. He was left looking for work following the 2011 season after Red Bull Racing was shuttered. He has been a part-timer this season and last, waiting this year to see if his eight races in the No. 55 Toyota with Michael Waltrip Racing will expand to a full season in 2014.

"All of that just makes this one of the most special events of my life," said Vickers, who ended a 75-race winless streak by passing Tony Stewart and leading the final 13 laps.

Ty Norris, Waltrip Racing's executive vice president of business development, said the team is working to re-sign primary sponsor Aaron's and hopes to have a deal in place for Vickers within six weeks. "Wins help a lot of business issues," Norris said, "so this was a great day for that."

Said Vickers, "This is where I want to be. I'm sure that a win helps, but it doesn't mean that the deal magically happens. I'd love to see Aaron's come back; they've wanted me in the car and stood by me."

There was support everywhere he turned after his third career victory. His fiancée, Sarah Kensington, came sprinting into victory lane (from just off track property after she left before the finish to catch a ride to the airport), and Casey Mears and Jimmie Johnson stopped by to offer congratulations. Several other peers showed respect by playfully slamming his car on the cool-down lap.

"Every single car that came by put a tire mark on the door or was shaking their fist - in a good way," Vickers said. "They really meant it. A lot of those guys know everything I've gone through."

The chaotic celebration mirrored the action on the track. A race featuring the oldest starter in Sprint Cup history (Morgan Shepherd, 71, was 41st after completing 92 laps) also had the impetuosity of youth as the debut of the Gen 6 car engendered frustration, overaggression and retribution that resulted in 12 yellow flags - the most cautions in eight years at the "Magic Mile."

"It was very hard to pass," runner-up Kyle Busch said, who consistently voiced frustration on his radio with the handling of his No. 18 Camry whenever around other cars. "The car's balance is so good by itself, then you get within five car lengths of the wake of the car in front of you, you can't do anything. The closer you get, the tighter you get, and you don't have enough speed differential to blow through that wake to pass that guy. "Even Superman didn't pass today, or if he did, he didn't make it up to the lead."

He was referring to Johnson, who finished sixth after starting last for the first time in his 418-race career.

"It wasn't easy by any means," the five-time series champion said. "You had to make quick work on the restarts, and then we all fell in line."

The points standings weren't so orderly as Stewart, who ran out of gas, sank three spots to 13th, and Kurt Busch, who crashed after leading a race-high 102 laps, plummeted five positions to 14th. Meanwhile, the No. 55 that is shared by Vickers, Mark Martin and team owner Michael Waltrip moved to 13th in the owners standings and remained in contention for the team-oriented championship (which is separate from the drivers title).

For Vickers, who was wearing a Martin-emblazoned hat ("You've got to run 10 races to get your own," he joked), it was the perfect comeback.

"One goal was to get out of the hospital; Goal Two, get back in a race car; and three was to win a race," Vickers said. "But ultimately the goal is a championship. When that job is done, it will be more complete."